Need Help

[Ferrari]

Hello everyone,
I have had a 20 gallon tank(freshwater) now for about 6 years, and most of my fish have died off, but there is still one left, my angel fish. I really want to convert it to a cichlid tank, but I do not know what I need.
1. Can i use sand, or gravel?
2. Should I stick with fish from Lake Tanganyika? or doesn't it matter...
3. I already have a filter, and heater. Do i need a powerhead?

Thanks for any replys.

Any Advice???

 

[dthoffsett]

I have had a 20 gallon tank(freshwater) now for about 6 years, and most of my fish have died off, but there is still one left, my angel fish. I really want to convert it to a cichlid tank, but I do not know what I need.
1. Can i use sand, or gravel?
2. Should I stick with fish from Lake Tanganyika? or doesn't it matter...
3. I already have a filter, and heater. Do i need a powerhead?

Thanks for any replys. Any Advice???
[/quote]

Anyway you can rehome your Angel? Your angelfish is a south american cichlid, and the only african cichlids you could have in your tank are shelldwellers, they need a much higher PH and hardness that the angel would be comfortable with. They also require different tank setups in general, shelldwellers prefer sand, they need shells to live in (escargot shells work well), and need some open space to set up their territories. Angelfish prefer a densely planted tank, and usually aren't comfortable with no coverage. IMO a 20gal is a little to small for an angelfish anyway. However if you rehome the angelfish, you could have a pretty cool set up.

Here's a link to shelldwellers.
http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/shel...ller_corner.php

Here's a link to different stockings for your tank.

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_20g.php

 

[Ferrari]

Thanks dthoffsett!
I am going to keep my angelfish until it dies, or I might turn it in for credit.
I def. want to go with sand for the cichlid tank, what is the most easy way to clean fish waste out of the sand?

 

[jambo1238]

Hi, in my experience waste usually collects on the top of the sand, allowing it to be vacuumed up easily,

I actually have a Shelldweller tank, so if you want any advice, i'm willing to help.

 

[Ferrari]

Thanks jambo
What type of shelldwellers could I put in the 20g?
Also, I have 2 powerheads, but don't use them, should I?
And, what kind of decor do they like besides the sand??
Thanks for your help!!

 

[fish_r_great]

Pretty much any shelly will work in a 20 gal... Umm depends what you want for decor I just had rocks and shells in mine and that worked great... I wouldn't use the powerheads theres really no benefit to using them and the water in lake Tanganyika doesn't have a current so without would be more natural..